Afterlife Department

Chapter 244 - Baurne Family

The Baurne family is a family with a very long history, thus many people respect them as they had left a legacy, albeit in the underworld. But, although their family name is such a well-known big name, but over the years, their family is declining.

In the current generation, there is only Jason Baurne. Before his generation, there's his father, James, his youngest uncle Jonathan, and his eldest uncle Joseph. However, in his grandfather's generation, there's only his grandfather. The people think it is such a pity. Even though the Baurne Clan has side branches, but none of them produce outstanding seedlings like the main family. Thus, everyone is convinced of the children from the main families, and look down on the branch families.

In Jonathan's generation, his eldest brother Joseph naturally became the family head. However, mishaps happen and he died. The family head position naturally should fall on the second son's shoulders, James. But, something happened to James and James died along with his wife, leaving the young Jason to Jonathan, who is the youngest and was forced to inherit the family head position right before he could become an adult, since his father died.

The only ones left in the main family are Jonathan and the young Jason. Fortunately, the branch families heavily rely on the main family, albeit their number, since aside they lack the brain and talent, they also fear the clan head position, which makes the one seated on the position be exposed to more dangers. Ever since one woke up in this side of the world, they couldn't wait to escape in this world that in every corner has a gun and dagger. Thus, they don't scheme against the main family, and instead help them as much as they could, in which Jonathan felt very grateful.

Whenever Jonathan was out, he would leave the young Jason to the branch families for them to look after and teach things about the Baurne family. Some children of the branch families naturally envy Jason, and using their mischief as an excuse, played pranks against Jason. It was clearly bullying. By the time their parents found out, it was too late. Jason hated children, and coldly left to go home to the main house.

However, his anger still hasn't abated when he found his uncle holding a baby in his arms. He had just sworn he hated children, and so he immediately showed his hostility against the defenseless baby. Jonathan felt helpless, but he doesn't know what to do. He can only coax Jason, telling him he would be the baby's elder brother. However, Jason became angrier and throw things before running back to his room. He was just seven at that time, and the baby was one year old. He clearly showed his rejection.

Jonathan could only hide the baby from Jason's sight to not provoke the other. Fortunately, the baby is quiet and doesn't cry. This lasted until the baby turned seven, and Jason turned fourteen. Naturally, the seven-year-old child wanted someone to accompany him, and Jason happened to be home. He approached Jason, who happened to have a fight in his school. And so, Jason flared up and almost hit the child.

At that last moment, Jason's reason returned and stopped before he could hit the other. However, it was then that Jonathan returned and saw Jason's raised hand. Jonathan who never had a lover, nor a wife, thus doesn't have a child, and since he only has these two children, naturally is very soft towards them so he doesn't hit them. Just scold them. He reprimanded Jason, then told him he is grounded.

Jason almost exploded in anger. Everyone was very scared to just even breathe. They felt relieved that the child didn't cry, since they never saw him cry even once, so the child didn't add to Jason's anger. Jason silently left and locked himself up in his room.

The uncle-and-nephew's relationship cooled. Jonathan treated it as Jason rebelling since he's already a teenager. This cold war of theirs lasted for 7 years. Jason, although still had a short-temper, but has become matured. He no longer picked fights with his uncle's adopted since he's six years older than the child, and it is really an immature act. However, every time Jonathan would have them two work together, they find each other unpleasant.

But, even though they don't get along, but Jason doesn't forget to send the child gifts during the child's birthday. The same can be said to the child, he would send Jason gifts during the other's birthday.

Jonathan, as he reminisced the past, looked at the cake and the two gifts on both sides of the cake. His tears fell and he closed his eyes. He uttered a short prayer, then a wish on behalf of Huo Ling, before he blew the candle. Jason, who sat on top of his bed and was hugging his knees, buried his face on his knees before he spoke in a whisper.

"Happy birthday, xiao Ling."

However, the person whom they should speak these words to is now gone. And it's on the day of that person they missed, did the uncle and nephew usher in a cold war again.

…

Di San had just walked out of the shower and walked into the living room while wiping his wet hair with a towel and saw the television was on. Feng Er and Liu Lin are listening while their heads are buried on their Death Notes, carefully studying this world. "Where's Si Shui? How is he?" he asked as he sat on the sofa.

"Still sleeping, but his soul is slowly recovering." Liu Lin answered. He and Si Shui are sharing a room next door, and Feng Er was on another room. They went to Di San's room for a meeting.

"Good. This world is a Normal World and has lesser spiritual energy than other Normal Worlds, so it will be harder for Si Shui to recover here." Di San said as he watched the news.

"The Xi family has recently signed another company under the Lee Company – " the newscaster said.

"The Xi family and Lee family – " Feng Er spoke when he heard the names. "It was said that the Xi family disdains the underworld. Twenty-three years ago, they latched themselves on to the Lee family after their family experienced crisis." She explained.

Di San removed his gaze from the TV screen and turned to Feng Er. "'twenty-three'… why do I suddenly have a bad feeling? I feel that the number 4 isn't the inauspicious number for me anymore, nor the 13. But 23, instead." He said and frowned.

Feng Er just laughed while Liu Lin took an apple from the fruit platter. "This Lee family is very wealthy. They rival the Baurne family of the underworld. However, the Lee family is an upstart compared to the Baurne family. In terms of seniority, the Baurne family is older. It was even said that this Xi family wanted to hug the thighs of the Baurne family." He said. "But, they suddenly changed their mind and loathed the Baurne family before they switched to the Lee family." He chewed on the apple and looked at the TV screen.

"Why?" Di San asked as he also watched the news.

"Others said it was because the Baurne family is declining over the years, and isn't that much powerful." Liu Lin answered.

"There's a rumor that the Baurne family is too deeply involved in the underworld, thus they are facing their retribution." Feng Er added.

Di San's brows raised. "Whether it is a retribution or not, as long as one has a clear conscience, then this so-called 'retribution' might be actually man-made." He meaningfully said as he took an orange and peeled it.

Feng Er and Liu Lin fell silent and looked at each other. Indeed, the Xi family is very fishy. It might also be the Lee family.

"Since we can't go back for the meantime, and our communications isn't working, might as well treat this world as a vacation world." Di San said and ate a piece of orange. "Sweet." He said and smiled, feeling satisfied with this world. "Is there still no sign from Yi Bing?" he asked.

"No." Feng Er and Liu Lin answered.

Di San's face darkened. "Since he's the only grim reaper among us here who has an assignment, he's the only one who has a video monitoring function in his Death Note. How hard is it for him to look for us?!" he asked as he squeezed the skin of the orange until its juice dripped in his hand.

Feng Er and Liu Lin looked at each other before tacitly burying their head in their Death Note, conscientiously ignoring Di San blathering about Yi Bing.

"Even us, we met Huo Ling!" Di San continued. "Everything about the soul's deeds will be seen in the Death Note. He definitely must have seen us through Huo Ling! So, why is it hard for him to drop by at us and say 'hello' - ?"

"Hello." A low and cold voice spoke behind them.

Di San, Feng Er and Liu Lin stiffened and slowly turned to see Yi Bing standing outside the terrace. Suddenly, lightning flashed behind Yi Bing, showing them a scene like it was taken out from a horror-thriller movie.

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